Star Class and Royal Genie tipping

[John&LaLa]

I am not usually "that guy" who says things aren't really complimentary on the ship, they are part of the price you pay but if I pay $1,300 for being on the same ship for a week and you get a drink package, dinners at chops, and internet access but you paid $13,000 ... It ain't complimentary. That's all I'm saying.

 

Sorry, I meant say included.

[marci22]

Just like "comps" one receives at the casino. I don't play (chase) comps anymore. Besides, what are they going to do above/beyond for me that Star class did not already offer... comp me a meal at Chop's or give me a free drink? I suppose they could have offered spa services, since I did "drop" more in there than I paid for the cruise to begin with! :eek:

 

Book me an inside next time you crusie and I will make sure you get tea, nuts, and plain wings. $200 is fine for my tip.

 

I will use my elbows to get you off the ship first.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Book me an inside next time you crusie and I will make sure you get tea, nuts, and plain wings. $200 is fine for my tip.

 

I will use my elbows to get you off the ship first.

 

lol :D

 

Tom

[A&L_Ont]

Tom, I am sorry to hear about your not so positive genie experience. It really doesn't sound like it was a one day miss but a comedy of errors regarding your somewhat simple requests. Not a positive experience at all.

 

By chance do you know if your genie was in charge of the RLS? It has become available for our August sailing and I will keep my eyes open to see if it drops in price. I hope someone in 1720 moves down the hall to the RLS and I can move into our cabin from our current CLS.

 

Thanks for the info.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom, I am sorry to hear about your not so positive genie experience. It really doesn't sound like it was a one day miss but a comedy of errors regarding your somewhat simple requests. Not a positive experience at all.

 

By chance do you know if your genie was in charge of the RLS? It has become available for our August sailing and I will keep my eyes open to see if it drops in price. I hope someone in 1720 moves down the hall to the RLS and I can move into our cabin from our current CLS.

 

Thanks for the info.

I don't think that he had the RLS. I can't be sure through.

 

Something else just crossed my mind (regarding snafus): I want to say it was the second night, but we asked that our Chop's reservation be moved from 5:30 to 6. Since I booked beforehand, only the 5:30 was open. I had included this request in an email and also reminded him of it once onboard. He told me it would be taken care of. When we arrived promptly at 6 we were told that "no, your reservation was for 5:30", so we missed it. They were packed, but still managed to accommodate us. It was somewhat uncomfortable, but nothing major. Just another moment that made us go "hmmmm"!

 

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[Cel_cruise]

I don't think that he had the RLS. I can't be sure through.

 

Something else just crossed my mind (regarding snafus): I want to say it was the second night, but we asked that our Chop's reservation be moved from 5:30 to 6. Since I booked beforehand, only the 5:30 was open. I had included this request in an email and also reminded him of it once onboard. He told me it would be taken care of. When we arrived promptly at 6 we were told that "no, your reservation was for 5:30", so we missed it. They were packed, but still managed to accommodate us. It was somewhat uncomfortable, but nothing major. Just another moment that made us go "hmmmm"!

 

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I really hope you documented all of this in your survey. All together this sounds like a very frustrating experience.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I really hope you documented all of this in your survey. All together this sounds like a very frustrating experience.

 

I did not, intentionally. I did point out that I realized the whole concept was new, and I'm sure that they'll be refining things. I did not voice any displeasure. I don't want to cause issues for him - again, he was a nice guy and seemed to care, and was trying. I asked him (after the third wing incident) if the kitchen/room service had it out for him. Someone dropped the ball, no telling who.

 

Tom

[MattInFLL]

Tom and I (and Ron) had the same Genie. That's why I am somewhat shocked since we had such divergent experiences with Francesco. You can read my review and you've read Ron's experience. Also he had 1758, the two Sky Lofts and an Aqua Theatre suite as his 4 cabins. They are rotating their cabin assignments.

 

Tom, sorry you had the opposite experience of us.

 

Andrew, pick the number halfway for Ron's spread and that was for both of us. We were originally inclined to $50 a day and he totally shined on the party so we went higher.

 

Hope LA was a blast! Got to see some but not all the Scopes.

[tzoda]

We have had a fantastic Genie on the Ovation, Sunil. I agree that good service should be around $50/day if you are using them and they are performing well. I think it will be hard to sail without a Genie now. Maybe the best thing about this trip.

 

 

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[ronsex]

Having following your cruise through the review of Matt I knew you had a great time. My question to you is for the $350-$700 is that based upon 2 people in the cabin? I know it is dependant on how much you use the genie, but it would help in establishing my baseline.

 

Thanks,

Andrew

 

Hi Andrew,

 

We were two in the suite.... but I really don't think it makes much of a difference as the genie is not servicing the suite. Making arrangements for two or four is pretty much the same.

 

However, if you are taking your meals in the suite and the genie is prepping the table and serving the meal then that would add on in my opinion if there were more than two/three people.

 

I feel $50 per day for two/three is really fair for standard use.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom and I (and Ron) had the same Genie. That's why I am somewhat shocked since we had such divergent experiences with Francesco. You can read my review and you've read Ron's experience. Also he had 1758, the two Sky Lofts and an Aqua Theatre suite as his 4 cabins. They are rotating their cabin assignments.

 

Tom, sorry you had the opposite experience of us.

 

Andrew, pick the number halfway for Ron's spread and that was for both of us. We were originally inclined to $50 a day and he totally shined on the party so we went higher.

 

Hope LA was a blast! Got to see some but not all the Scopes.

 

I so was looking forward to everything being "just so". Perhaps all the random errors just randomly came our way.

 

I really thought that by putting all of this in an email to him before the cruise that he'd not need to draw on his genie "powers" as much, and he could just use that as a template. I don't think I was asking for the world here, and will just chalk it up to timing (early adopter blues) and some bad luck.

 

Hopefully our experience in the RLS on the Oasis next spring break will shine in comparison.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Hi Andrew,

 

We were two in the suite.... but I really don't think it makes much of a difference as the genie is not servicing the suite. Making arrangements for two or four is pretty much the same.

 

However, if you are taking your meals in the suite and the genie is prepping the table and serving the meal then that would add on in my opinion if there were more than two/three people.

 

I feel $50 per day for two/three is really fair for standard use.

 

I'd agree with that, or something approacing that, if they were the ones who set up meals and brought room service orders (as butlers do on Celebrity), but I just don't see where having what is basically a semi-private concierge is worth $350/wk... for what may be a total of an hour or so of his time. I'm sure this opinion is colored by our recent experience, so take that for what it's worth!

 

Tom

[marci22]

I'd agree with that, or something approacing that, if they were the ones who set up meals and brought room service orders (as butlers do on Celebrity), but I just don't see where having what is basically a semi-private concierge is worth $350/wk... for what may be a total of an hour or so of his time. I'm sure this opinion is colored by our recent experience, so take that for what it's worth!

 

Tom

 

I wonder if your genie overlooked your requests due to their simple nature and your calm demeanor. Maybe he focused on more complicated requests or demanding passengers. In any case, your simple requests were not met.

 

I know that you are giving him the benefit of the doubt, and that's nice, but I'm not sure if it's helpful. Maybe the 3 suites, combined with an Aquatheater suite, is too much for one genie.

 

They won't know unless you tell them. You can communicate helpful criticism without being mean. Your feedback would help future cruisers. You are being gracious about it but really, he dropped the ball.

 

I would add that I'm sure Royal wants you to get off your cruise thinking, 'wow, the genie!' not, 'genie, meh'. They won't know if you don't tell them.

Edited June 23, 2016 by marci22

[parrotfeathers]

I hope my question does not come across as odd or accusatory in nature (as in something must be wrong with you).

 

I've read so many posts about people who like to dine for supper in their cabin. If you do this, is it just because you prefer the two (or however many) of you? I haven't ever considered it for some reason. Isn't it just like eating at home?

[A&L_Ont]

Tom and I (and Ron) had the same Genie. That's why I am somewhat shocked since we had such divergent experiences with Francesco. You can read my review and you've read Ron's experience. Also he had 1758, the two Sky Lofts and an Aqua Theatre suite as his 4 cabins. They are rotating their cabin assignments.

 

Tom, sorry you had the opposite experience of us.

 

Andrew, pick the number halfway for Ron's spread and that was for both of us. We were originally inclined to $50 a day and he totally shined on the party so we went higher.

 

Hope LA was a blast! Got to see some but not all the Scopes.

 

Matt, thanks for the info regarding the tips. We will patiently watch if 1720 opens up other wise we will stay in 1724. I can not justify the price increase from the CLS to the RLS, and I can usually make a justification for everything.;)

 

As for the scopes they are all still there. If will most likely delete them by next weekend. If you haven't seen the ones from the Petersen Museum you should. What a place. We were toured by the Curator of it. Wow, isn't enough.

 

Our time with Jonathan Ward at Icon was spectacular. He is exactly the same as what you see on his you tube videos. Oh, and I asked. He wouldn't let me borrow a Bronco for you, but he'd gladly build one for you.:) As for builds, we will do something with him in the next couple of years.

 

I cancelled my Shelby trip to Ohio for this weekend, I have a few things at work to clean up.

[John&LaLa]

I wonder if your genie overlooked your requests due to their simple nature and your calm demeanor. Maybe he focused on more complicated requests or demanding passengers. In any case, your simple requests were not met.

 

I know that you are giving him the benefit of the doubt, and that's nice, but I'm not sure if it's helpful. Maybe the 3 suites, combined with an Aquatheater suite, is too much for one genie.

 

They won't know unless you tell them. You can communicate helpful criticism without being mean. Your feedback would help future cruisers. You are being gracious about it but really, he dropped the ball.

 

I would add that I'm sure Royal wants you to get off your cruise thinking, 'wow, the genie!' not, 'genie, meh'. They won't know if you don't tell them.

 

I just can't fathom that one genie is assigned to aqua suite and two cabins on 17

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I hope my question does not come across as odd or accusatory in nature (as in something must be wrong with you).

 

I've read so many posts about people who like to dine for supper in their cabin. If you do this, is it just because you prefer the two (or however many) of you? I haven't ever considered it for some reason. Isn't it just like eating at home?

 

We've only done this two times as I recall. That's in stark contrast to our breakfast room service usage - which is about half the time.

 

Once was on Carnival when we were in the Owner's Suite (Fantasy class ships). We had not brought formal wear and were just going to hit the buffet. The HD would have none of that, and arranged for our meal to be served (course by course from a waiter in the hallway) in the cabin. Of course, that's back when they were not regularly offering those two cabins to guests - so, special circumstances. Now, other than getting escorted to that cabin, you get the same treatment as someone in an inside cabin. That's just "the Carnival way", where they don't really have any suite perks/amenities.

 

The other time was on Princess, where we took advantage of their UBD (Ultimate Balcony Dining). That's an extra cost option, but was very nice. It was not to avoid dining at a restaurant, but to enjoy the balcony and dinner.

 

Tom

[marci22]

I just can't fathom that one genie is assigned to aqua suite and two cabins on 17

 

Matt said, "Also he had 1758, the two Sky Lofts and an Aqua Theatre suite as his 4 cabins." So 4 cabins.

[vickiw0318]

If a genie had multiple aqua theater suite cabins, he/she would be running his/her legs off! Makes sense to me to give them a couple of cabins in a "concentrated" location.

 

Guess I am getting somewhat cynical about tipping at times. It just seems like this is a perk that Royal is giving because you are spending so much money on a cabin, but wait, it is going to cost you more because you are going to need to tip your genie. To me, that defeats the purpose. I am probably one of the few that thinks it should be a strictly salaried position, but that is where I am.

[MattInFLL]

As it turns out, as we were told, one of the Allure genies used to be a concierge and was already due for vacation time. So instead of 4 genies, there were 3 and they were trying to break up the cabin assignments so that no one got assigned all ATS's. Or at least not for weeks in a row.

 

As for tipping a Genie. To me it's just what we do. I have spent many a day relying on tips for income and I could just never not tip. I was calculating that from the beginning. But I know others feel differently.

 

Andrew - will check out the Scopes and dream about the Bronco :)

Edited June 23, 2016 by MattInFLL

[setsail]

 

To me, that defeats the purpose. I am probably one of the few that thinks it should be a strictly salaried position, but that is where I am.

 

Post #37

[tzoda]

I tipped my Genie this morning. $600 for two people on 13 day trip. We pretty much used him every day and his service was above and beyond. As an example, we had issues on two tours and he pushed it with the tour manager and got us a 20% credit based on the cost of our current cruise to use on a future cruise. Given the price of our room, that's about $2,800. Better than just refunding the tour cost. I still think $30-50/day or $100/week/person are good guidelines if you use the service consistently and are satisfied with the service. I think as more people use the service, a norm will be established.

 

 

Dr. Z, Rx Cruising

[babydoc71]

As an update to my previous post on 6/22/16. My husband and I met with the onboard manger of the genies (?hotel service manager, can't remember exact title) to give him some feedback on the program while onboard. told him that thus far our genie was great in that she did anything we asked of her, but that this is nothing more than a concierge and that there was no anticipation of needs as we had expected. He asked us what we need him to do as I think he thought we were trying to get something for free/discount. That wasn't the intention and in fact we said there is absolutely nothing that we want other than to make this program as wonderful as we think it can be. Well let me tell you, the final 48 hours of our cruise was amazing. Our genie started to find us daily to touch base and make suggestions for what she could do for us. Even had a photographer come to our room one night and shoot photos of us on the balcony which was my favorite pic from the cruise. Our son was in the 12-14 year old teen group and they had a "prom" night. He had about 12 friends he met on the cruise and they all wanted to get dressed up and eat together in Chic without reservations (mind you this was at 5:30pm). Our genie arranged to have them eat together at 8 pm and met him at the restaurant to escort his group of friends to the table. She reviewed our bar tab and saw there was a type of wine we were consistently ordering and had it waiting at our table one evening for us. Also reserved pool loungers in the suite area with quotes from famous people attached to the towels (this is where that one survey comes in to play-name who you want to have dinner with from history, that survey also was intended to help the genie pick out gifts for us left in our room one evening) Not to mention the disembarkation was amazing-no need to put our luggage in the hallways, our Genie rang the doorell at 9:30 am and the porter was there to take our luggage. She had called the number of a private car we had used to get from NY to the terminal (we gave her the name and number) and w/in 20 minutes we were off the ship, thru customs and the driver was waiting on us. Our trip was over a month ago and I wistfully think about it every day. Of course do I wish all 9 days had been that amazing-well sure but it is a program in it's infancy and should improve over time. I was surprised and disappointed that RCI sent out no special post cruise survey to eval this program however. We tipped our genie $400 for 2 adults, 1 child in the room for the 9 nights. Didn't tip the concierge this time as we never used her. Also gave both the room attendant ($100) and room assistant ($50) additional tips along with additional tips to the consistent waiters we had in Coastal Kitchen (tipped $20 each x 3). Wish we could book star class again. Going on Oasis summer 2017 B2B but for each week, it costs almost double to go from Crown Loft sky class to Sky loft star class, though I still check almost daily. Hope this helps those of you with upcoming royal Genies!

[Cel_cruise]

Babydoc - that's great that you shared your feedback onboard - the results sound really positive! An in suite photographer sounds like a fantastic idea for a perk too!!

[FireStation46]

Our next cruises we are lowly Sky class. I suppose we will get by without the genie..........

Edited July 11, 2016 by FireStation46